The Punjab government has decided to launch a new project called ‘Connected Punjab’. The Punjab government official sources told APP that government has decided to launch a province-wide high-speed internet and digital governance project, preparations have been started to set the total cost of the Connected Punjab project at $100 million.
They said a fiber optic network will be laid across Punjab under the project. Private telecom companies will provide fiber to rural and backward areas. Currently, only 16 percent of towers in Punjab are fiberized, the government has decided to fill the gap, while preparations are underway to connect government offices to a single high-speed digital network.
Files and government records will be transferred completely online, and payment of fees, taxes and fines will be made possible through mobile and card. A target has been set to connect at least 15 different sectors to the digital payment system, and the project is claimed to free citizens from office visits, delays and bribery.